E. Visayas islands get 24/7 power

State-firm National Power Corporation (Napocor) has started providing round-the-clock power service to the islands of Capul and Maripipi in the provinces of Northern Samar and Biliran, serving approximately 2,300 households through two diesel plants.

The plant in Capul used to supply 16 hours of electricity daily, while the Maripipi plant operated for only 16 hours daily.

“These power plants have huge reserve capacities and therefore can accommodate round the clock operations,” said Pete Llorente of Napocor's Visayas Operations Department.

He said the Capul plant has a dependable capacity of 290 kW and a peak demand of 235 kW, which leaves a 55 kW reserve. The Maripipi plant has a 664 kW dependable capacity and 177 kW peak demand which gives the island of 15 barangays 487 kW reserve capacities.

Maripipi will also receive new generating sets next year as part of the capacity addition program of Napocor.

Capul is a small island in the northern tip of Northern Samar. Its name is said to have been derived from Acapulco when the trade from Manila to Acapulco flourished during the early times. The locals live by coconut and rice farming, fishing, and tourism.

Maripipi is a 27-kilometer round island off the coast of Biliran. It is home to mountains, clear waters, and waterfalls, which makes it a good destination for tourists.